Curb appeal dilemma

10 years ago

What kind of chairs would look good on the porch?
What color bushes and flowers would look good?

I want to remove all shrubs, bushes, and trees and start over.
Please help!!

Thanks!!

Featured Answer

PRO

KDTurner Design

10 years ago

I would recommend adding some layers of plantings at the foundation--taller (4' ht) shrubs to give some structure at the foundation, and then a secondary layer of shorter shrubs or perennials with some color (18-24") in front of that. Keep the color palette simple (blues/purples/whites or pale yellows/pinks) will pop in front of your grey facade. If you have a little more money in your budget, you could update the porch with some thicker columns and a simpler baluster, more contemporary house numbers and a fun lighting fixture at the door (push the bungalow style). I would also eliminate the planters and shutters. Good luck!

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Comments (6)

ijkrien
10 years ago
I agree with removing the shutters from the bay window. Adding color with perennials around the foundation will brighten thins up a lot. Don't forget to add annuals in the bed for color all spring thru fall. Most perennials only bloom once a season so adding annuals for color all season keeps the colors coming. Paint your front door an eye catching color, and adding a small seating area(two chairs & small table). The planters don't do much for the style of house. If you want planters there I'd pick planters that would match your door color to keep drawing the eye up the steps filled with lots of eye popping annuals. I also agree with making the columns thicker if you have the extra in the budget.
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You need to consider the overall style of the house. It appears to be a lovely mock-Georgian style to me. As other posters have mentioned, you should neaten the shrubs to make them more formal. I would lose the fire-logs in the porch. They are more rustic cottage than Georgian. I don't think chunky oak posts mentioned by jonathandb1972 would work. You cannot transform a Georgian style into Farmhouse. It wouldn't work very well with the windows and stone lintels. You need stone pillars/columns for the porch and then lose the trellis. Google images of Georgian houses for inspiration. Facia of garage should match the porch.
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Hi Stacy. I think weatherboarding will work for the look you're after. Would you paint it all one colour? My only worry was whether it would all be a bit one dimensional and whether the boarding would make the ground floor look lower ( I've drawn it out though and it doesn't seem to make any difference but that could be my lack of drawing skills!) I wonder if you could add a porch with weatherboard like this with either side of the front rendered and painted? The porch doesn't have to be as complex/expensive as this with the steps etc. I've had a similar size ŵall rendered and it was about £150 from memory so the cost would really be for the porch. Can you or your husband draw? It may be an idea to sketch out various options (with colour!) to see what you like then get quotes on the various options http://linleydevelopments.co.uk/portfolio/bungalow-to-a-chalet-style-conversion/#prettyPhoto[portfolio]/1/
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Meet Me at the Wrecking Ball
10 years ago
If you were to take in only the right side of the house, and then take in only the left side of the house, I think you would find that you have two different houses there! The scallops over the porch put me in mind of Hansel and Gretl, and the protruding bay window is simply a suburban-looking solution to brightening up a living room. Will you really sit on that porch? I just don't see people lounging on their front porches anymore--plus that's a very small space. Remove all the clutter in the railing and the scallops (and those swans, please) and simplify the look of the porch. You probably don't even need a railing at all--a couple well-placed urns will define the space on either side of the stairs (on the porch) and showcase the front door. Also, bring down the address to a discreet and functional set of numbers on the wall to the left of the front door (as viewed from the street). Declutter those stairs. Paint the porch light, paint the steps darker, paint the risers between steps a shade lighter than the steps--trim around door matches risers on stairs) This is a fantastic opportunity to rejuvenate the space for just a little bit of financial investment. Good luck!
decoenthusiaste
10 years ago
What mrs Doubtfire said... Then spend some $$ on sod for the lawn and a pretty ornamental tree (dogwood, redbud, Japanese maple) to see through the bay window.
PRO
Curb Appeal Landscaping
10 years ago
I like your idea of removing all plantings and trees in the front yard and starting over. As a previous contributor stated, a layered system will work best. Evergreens of size 3-4 ft along the house foundation and perennials in front of the them. I recommend grouping the same plant material in areas. It will have more of an impact. An example: group three evergreens in a triangle pattern at the house foundation under the curved window. This will give the planting bed some much needed depth.

No need to spend money on sod. Enhance the turf that you currently have with a spring and fall seeding.
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garden design online
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Replace the posts,the door,the stair...

Curb appeal dilemma

KDTurner Design

Comments (6)

ijkrien

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